Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) made waves when he laid out articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth.
The House adjourned before any vote could be held on it — which Massie asserts was intentional — but regardless, national security journalist Marcy “emptywheel” Wheeler wrote for her site on Wednesday that this isn’t the end of the matter.
“Massie’s articles of impeachment are substantive — similar to what I had expect Democrats would file in January shortly if they win the House,” wrote Wheeler.
Among the charges laid out in the articles, she said, are “Going to war in violation of the War Powers Act Section 2(c); Following illegal orders to go to war in violation of the WPA Section 5(c); Remaining at war after failing to submit necessary paperwork under WPA 5(b); Failing to minimize civilian casualties; Murderboating (sic) 221 people; Censoring Senator Mark Kelly; Kidnapping Maduro; [and] Starting a war against the Houthis.”
Moreover, noted Wheeler, the last time a war powers resolution to stop the Iran war came before Congress, seven Republican lawmakers backed it — many of whom could be potential crossover votes in an impeachment vote.
The bottom line, she said, is “this is not going away.” In all likelihood, “far more Republicans” will join Massie in condemning the war after it costs them big at the ballot box — and Hegseth could be on the receiving end of their desire for blood at the administration.
“Even assuming Hegseth is not convicted in the Senate — though that, too, may depend on how many Republicans are furious enough after the election to damage Trump — just the passage of the Article pertaining to Maduro may give his very good attorney, Barry Pollack, more leverage in his existing claim that he has sovereign immunity, which could create big problems for Trump’s attempt to colonize Venezuela,” Wheeler wrote.
The post ‘Not going away’: Expert spots trap renegade Republican embedded in impeachment gambit appeared first on Raw Story.
